Turbines: Samsung Fife base, Borders buy

As multi-million pound wind energy deal between Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and UK firm David Brown Gear Systems is to be followed by more high-profile business partnerships, the British ambassador to Korea has said. Simultaneously the Borders Fallago Rig has been bought by EDF Energy Renewable Ltd from North British Wind Power.

Korea Herald reports that the deal that could be worth up to £100m ($158m) and some 500 jobs will see UK engineering specialist David Brown Gear Systems help SHI create offshore wind turbines.

British ambassador Scott Wightman (right) welcomed SHI’s investment in the company headquartered inYorkshire, which will design, develop and manufacture a new gear system for SHI’s next generation of offshore wind turbines.

The new 7MW offshore wind turbines will be tested off the coast of Fife, Scotland in the first step of a long-term supply contract.

If SHI’s first European offshore wind project is successful, nacelle, gear box assembly and blade manufacturing facilities will also be set up by the Korean company in Scotland.

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond welcomed news the firm is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife. "I am extremely pleased to welcome this inward investment by Samsung which further reinforces Scotland's place in the development of the next generation of offshore wind turbines.

SHI CEO Insik Roh (left), said: "We are pleased to be participating in the development of the Energy Park at Methil at such an exciting time for the Scottish renewable energy industry.

"We hope to contribute to the Scottish economy through successful testing and certification of our cutting edge offshore wind turbine."

FALLAGO RIG, BORDERS
EDF Energy Renewables Ltd took over a Scottish wind farm after the U.K. company bought the park’s owner, North British Windpower Ltd.

EDF Energy Renewables bought the company owning the 144MW Fallago Rig (right) project being developed in the Scottish Borders, according to a statement from Squire Sanders, the law firm advising North British Windpower on the deal.

EDF Energy Renewables is a wind-focused joint venture between EDF Energy Plc and EDF Energies Nouvelles SA. (EEN) The project, approved, is expected to power about 90,000 Scottish homes when built.